Fish rescue aid

Abstract

A fish retrieval aid is presented, comprising a substantially tubular receiving chamber (10), wherein a slot (15) extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the receiving chamber (10) is arranged in a rigid wall (11) of the receiving chamber (10), and a handle window (16) opposite the slot (15) is provided near one of the ends (12, 13) of the receiving chamber (10).

Description

[0001] The application concerns a fish retrieval device. Retrieval devices are primarily used in sport and recreational fishing to retrieve a caught fish. Retrieving the fish involves taking it out of the water and detaching it from the fishing line or hook.

[0002] When removing a caught fish from the fishing line or hook, the fish must be handled gently. This applies particularly if the caught fish is to be released back into the water, for example, because it is undersized, oversized, or protected for other reasons.

[0003] Landing nets are a popular tool for retrieving fish, used to scoop up a caught fish at or just below the surface and lift it out of the water. However, even after landing the fish with a net, the stress of being removed from the line or hook depends heavily on the angler's skill and the type of fish caught. Different fish species vary considerably in their agility and liveliness.

[0004] A particular challenge is the careful retrieval of eels of the species Anguilla anguilla, commonly known as European eels, which are widely fished as a popular food fish. Eels are extremely lively during retrieval and, due to their elongated body shape, highly agile. This makes them difficult to catch with a landing net, as they can become entangled in the net and fishing line, forming a virtually inextricable knot. Furthermore, eels have a very smooth mucous membrane, making them difficult to handle. Consequently, retrieving eels often results in them being so badly damaged that releasing them is no longer justifiable.

[0005] It would therefore be desirable to provide a recovery aid that enables easier and gentler recovery of eels.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the present invention by a fish retrieval aid comprising a substantially tubular receiving chamber, wherein a slot extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the receiving chamber is arranged in a rigid wall of the receiving chamber, and a handle window opposite the slot is provided near one of the ends of the receiving chamber.

[0007] This retrieval aid can be used after a fish bites by threading the line through the slot into the receiving chamber. The line can then be retrieved until the head of the hooked fish protrudes into the lower end of the chamber. The fish can then be carefully pulled further into the chamber, with the tube-like shape of the chamber suppressing any otherwise problematic movements. When the fish's head is near the top of the chamber, it can be held through the handle window with one hand while the fish is removed from the line or hook at the top opening of the chamber using a suitable tool such as a hook remover or pliers. The fish is subjected to minimal stress during this process and can be safely released back into the water if necessary.

[0008] In one embodiment of the retrieval aid, the handle window can be sealed with an elastic film. This film can be made of rubber, silicone, or other elastomers, for example, and allows the angler to hold the fish without direct contact, thus further protecting the fish. The film can have a non-slip structure on its inner surface facing the fish. This preferably atraumatic structure can include suction cups, bumps, ribs, or similar features.

[0009] The slot of the retrieval aid can have an inlet contour at at least one end of the receiving chamber. Such an inlet contour simplifies threading the retrieval aid onto the fishing line.

[0010] In one possible design of the recovery aid, the end of the receiving chamber furthest from the handle window can be provided with a conical widening.

[0011] The conical widening makes it easier for the fish to enter the intake chamber.

[0012] In some designs of a fish retrieval aid, the wall of the receiving chamber can be made of a transparent polymer. This allows the angler to assess the species, size, and condition of the fish before removing it from the chamber. The wall of the receiving chamber may also be marked with one or more length markings to determine the fish's length.

[0013] In some versions of the retrieval aid, the length of the intake chamber can be adapted to the minimum length of a target fish. This allows for the quick detection of undersized fish, which can then be released accordingly.

[0014] The inner diameter of the intake chamber can be at least 20% larger than the expected diameter of a target fish if the length of the target fish corresponds to the length of the intake chamber.

[0015] The edges of the slot and the ends of the receiving chamber are designed to be as burr-free as possible to avoid damage to the fishing line or injury to the fish.

[0016] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to some exemplary illustrations. These illustrations, which are not necessarily to scale, are intended solely to facilitate a better understanding of the invention, without limiting it to the embodiments shown.

[0017] They show: Fig. 1: a recovery aid in longitudinal section, Fig. 2: a cross-section of the mountain rescue service Fig. 1 along line AA, Fig. 3: A side view of a section of the recovery aid of the Fig. 1.

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 shows a recovery aid 1 in longitudinal section. The recovery aid 1 has a tubular receiving chamber 10 with a rigid wall 11, which is preferably made of a transparent polymer such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), or other suitable thermoplastic or thermosetting plastics.

[0019] The receiving chamber 10 is open at the end faces 12 and 13, allowing a caught fish to enter the receiving chamber 10 through the opening at the first end 12, which is usually the lower end in use. A caught fish (not shown) can be released from the fishing line or hook (also not shown) through the opening at the second end 13, which is usually the upper end in use.

[0020] A slot 15 runs along the wall 11 of the receiving chamber 10. The slot 15 extends from the first end 12 to the second end 13, so that a fishing line can be inserted through the slot 15 into the receiving chamber 10.

[0021] Near the second end 13, a grip window 16 is incorporated into the wall 11. The grip window 16 allows the user of the retrieval aid 1 to grasp a fish that has been pulled forward to the second end 13, so that it can be safely removed from the fishing line or hook. The grip window 16 is closed by an elastic film 17, so that direct contact between the user and the fish is not necessary.

[0022] The film 17 can be made of silicone, rubber, or other suitable natural or synthetic elastomers. On its inner surface, facing the fish, the film 17 is designed to be non-slip. This can be achieved by providing a non-slip surface structure, which may include, for example, small suction cups, bumps, ribs, or similar features. The non-slip structure is preferably designed to be atraumatic in order to avoid unnecessary damage to the fish's mucous membrane.

[0023] At the first end 12 of the receiving chamber 10, the wall 11 has a conical widening 20 to facilitate the insertion of a fish.

[0024] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the retrieval aid 1 along line AA. The image is rotated by 90°. It can be seen that the edges of slot 15 are burr-free. The edges can be treated, for example, by etching, grinding, melting, or similar processes. The burr-free finish prevents damage to the fishing line when it is inserted into the receiving chamber. A similar burr-free finish is provided at the ends 12 and 13 of receiving chamber 10.

[0025] Fig. Figure 3 shows a section of the retrieval aid 1 in a top view. The section shown is near the first end 12. It can be seen that the slot 15 widens in the area of ​​the first end 12 into an inlet contour 21 to facilitate the insertion of the fishing line. A corresponding inlet contour can also be provided at the second end 13.

[0026] Length markings 22 are provided on the surface of the wall 11 of the recording chamber 10 to enable the measurement of a fish in the recording chamber 10. The markings 22 are represented as simple lines, but can also include numerical information about the distance of the respective marking from the second end 13 of the recording chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the length markings can also indicate minimum lengths of various fish species.

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